Gravity actuated, unidirectional regulated tissue dispensing system

Abstract

Described is a mechanical device designed to dispense tissue paper or cloth web by gravity-actuated release gear system. The release gear system is activated by pressing a lever that is connected to the unidirectional gear release system. The gear mechanism is supported on the inside of the dispenser and has the lever extending through a side opening of the cover of the cabinet. The gear train, connected to this lever, is also connected to the axle of the towel roll through a square butt end.

Having thus described the invention, I claim: 
     
       1. A dispenser for dispensing a web from a roll of material comprising: a housing having a dispensing outlet, a roll of web material rotatably supported in the housing by a shaft, said shaft having at one end a first toothed gear, said gear comprising a central body attached to said shaft, said central body having a plurality of recesses about its outer periphery, said first gear further comprising a plurality of teeth pivotally mounted in each of said recesses, each of said recesses having an end wall limiting movement of said teeth in one direction, said teeth being mounted in said recesses such that said teeth have a retracted position wherein they are held in said recesses and an extended position in which said end wall limits movement of said teeth in said one direction, said dispenser further including a second gear, said second gear having means to contact said teeth of said first gear when said teeth are in said extended position, said second gear driving said first gear when said means contact said teeth to rotate said shaft to thus dispense said web of material through said dispensing outlet. 
     
     
       2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said second gear has an extended arm; a spring connecting said arm to a back wall of said dispenser housing; a freely rotating axle mounted in said housing; a bent plate suspended over said freely rotating axle; one end of the said bent plate held against a top wall of said dispenser housing by said arm, an opposite end of said plate held against said dispensing outlet of said housing when the said arm of said second gear is in a released position; when said arm is moved forward toward the front of said dispenser housing by the movement of a lever connected to said arm, said one end of said bent plate drops into a notch in a vertical partitioning plate thereby moving said opposite end of said bent plate away from said dispensing outlet and allowing said web material to freely descend through said dispensing outlet; said partitioning plate separating said roll of web from the said first and said second gears, said web material being caught in said dispensing outlet when said lever is released thereby allowing said arm of said second gear to move back to said released position to hold said one end of said bent plate against said top wall of said dispenser housing.